He had thought himself stronger than this. But the wound to his head had made things change in him. A small change, something he couldn't understand. He was apprehensive about the territory now - which was perhaps only caused by the appearance of the damn cougar. Even after its evisceration Njal was nervous of it. Afraid to see its silhouette cutting a fluid shape across the plains.
With nudges and calm coaxing from Tuwawi, the man left the dark hole. He followed her with a sharp eye upon their surroundings. Njal twitched at every sound, or nearly every sound, and it took time for him to steady himself. Once a calm had been acquired, he was fine. The two of them could progress towards the meeting point without too much issue; but through the excapade, Njal felt like he was being watched. It did not sit well with him.
When he arrived it was after Jinx. The sight of her made his spine prickle uncontrollably, as he inhaled her sharp scent, and felt a familiar pang of pain in his head. The man grit his teeth as he passed her by; unaware so far of her loss, and the grief that came with it. Had he known she had miscarried earlier he would have likely avoided challenging the woman for her place in the pack - but, alas, that was not what transpired. His boastfulness had become violence during their encounter, which could only be explained by his fresh injury.
The ache in the Russian's head continued unabated, even as he passed to Fox's side and granted her a deferring nudge to the shoulder. He returned swiftly to Tuwawi, wherever she was situated, and paused long enough to breathe a deep sigh. The scent of spring was bare upon the wind, only now it was spiced with a strong internalized doubt.